2012-13 Season

Villanova to Retire Kerry Kittles' #30 Jersey

VILLANOVA, Pa. --- On Jan. 18, 1998, Villanova University will retire the jersey of former Wildcat great Kerry Kittles. The ceremony will take place prior to tipoff of the Wildcats' Big East Conference match-up with West Virginia that will air on CBS Sports at 2 p.m (ET).

Kittles played at Villanova from 1992-96 for head coach Steve Lappas, becoming the first player in 25 years to earn first-team Associated Press All-America acclaim as a senior. The New Orleans, La., native, won virtually ever Big East Conference honor during his tenure on the Main Line, including league Player of the Year and Tournament Most Outstanding Player in 1995. He helped guide the Wildcats to their first-ever NIT Championship, the Big East Tournament championship and a school-record 26 victories in 1996.

Kittles, one of the most versatile players to ever wear the Wildcat blue and white, currently owns 15 school and class records. He rates as Villanova's all-time leading scorer with 2,243 career points and is the school's all-time steals leader with 277 career thefts. Additionally, Kittles ranks 10th in history in assists (408) and 14th in rebounding (715). His 44-point performance versus Boston College is the second-highest single-point effort in Big East history, and the fourth-best in the Villanova annals. Kittles was a three-time team leader in scoring, including a 21.3 ppg average as a junior and 20.4 ppg average as a senior.

Kittles was the eighth player selected in the 1996 NBA Draft by the New Jersey Nets, and is currently a starter for the club.

"Kerry certainly epitomizes the very best of Villanova basketball," said Athletic Director Tim Hofferth. "We are thrilled to be able to honor him in this manner, as he has meant so much as both a player and person to Villanova University."

Kittles' #30 jersey will forever hang in the rafters of The Pavilion, but his number will remain in circulation for future use by another Wildcat player. He becomes the 12th former Wildcat to have a jersey retired, joining #11 Paul Arizin, #14 Larry Hennessy, #33 Keith Herron, #24 Wali Jones, Coach Jack Kraft, #25 Bill Melchionni, #1 Jake Nevin (Trainer), #15 Shelly Pennefather, #54 Howard Porter, #45 John Pinone, and Coach Al Severance.